AAP U-turns on its slum agenda with plan to bulldoze East Delhi shanties

Taking a U-turn on its February 15 notification which prohibits the demolition of unauthorised colonies and slums, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is all set to bulldoze over 1,000 shanties in east Delhi to widen the NH-24.

A notice regarding demolition of jhuggies at Nehru Camp in Patparganj was issued by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate a month ago.

The slum falls in the assembly constituency of Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who, locals claimed, has assured them that their houses will not be demolished.

A notice regarding demolition of slums at Nehru Camp in Patparganj was issued a month ago

According to Delhi government officials, the slum is situated over PWD land which has to be handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for converting NH- 24 into a 14-lane road.

Delhi Police officials said the Delhi government has asked for adequate security arrangements during the demolition drive that is likely to be carried out this week.

Government faces criticism

A team of police personnel was recently attacked by angry slum dwellers when they were asked to remove encroachments from the roads.

Ruing that the government has not offered them any alternative location, Uttam Chand, a resident of Nehru Camp said: “We have been living here for the last 25-30 years but the government has suddenly asked us to vacate the land without any alternative arrangement. On the one hand, government has prohibited demolition of slums and on the other hand it is ready to bulldoze our houses. This action will leave us homeless.”

Another resident, Vipin Pal, said that after a notice was served on them for vacating the land, Sisodia visited the Camp and assured them that their houses will not be fully demolished. Instead, he asked the occupants to clear the encroachment from pavements along the NH-24.

PWD officials, however, said the land has to be vacated to facilitate the road widening project.

“The project is being executed by the NHAI. The land has to be cleared and handed over to it soon,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

According to sources, demolition of slums could add to the ongoing tussle between the Delhi government and the Centre. The AAP government has already said that no slum will be demolished in Delhi unless a rehabilitation plan is put in place.

Immediately after taking oath as the chief minister, Arvind Kejriwal had issued a notification prohibiting demolition in Delhi. The notification came after a group of people demonstrated at Kejriwal's Kaushambi house over the demolition of some slums in the Shahdara area.

Ironically, it was the first administrative decision of the AAP government in Delhi after assuming power for the second term.

It may be noted that the NHAI has recently begun widening of the 28-km National Highway 24 from Nizamuddin Bridge in Delhi to Dasna in Ghaziabad, a move which will help decongest the stretch.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 3,064 crore, and the construction will take around two-and-a-half years, an official said.

“Six of these 14 lanes (three on either carriageway) will be an access control expressway while the remaining eight lanes (four on either side) will be normal highway, as per the plan”, it said.

Widening the NH-24 will help ease traffic in Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida, which is used by over 2 lakh vehicles every day.

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AAP U-turns on its slum agenda with plan to bulldoze East Delhi shanties